. >>> lawmakers are getting an earful about why they need to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. >> you have to nail this down. uncertainty is killing us. >> reporter: top economists talked about the impact of tax increases and government spending cuts on the middle class. >> a couple thousand dollars, means a couple months rent for this family. >> reporter: the white house has made clear the country could go over the cliff, if republicans refused to raise taxes on the top 2% of american earners. >> for them to be burdened, unnecessarily, because democrats and republicans aren't coming together to solve this problem, gives you a sense of the costs involved in very personal terms. >> reporter: republican leaders say they will close loopholes loopholes and eliminate tax breaks to raise money. but insist that bush-era tax cuts must be extended for all americans. >> reporter: the standoff and the country's skyrocketing debt, concerns ryan shenecki. so much so that he's the guy in the suit, dancing gangnam style with former senator allen simpson. >> i'm keeping up on this baby. >> reporter: